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Why were they here?
It’s a good question, a good question indeed and one that Tav didn’t fucking have an answer to.
Tav and Wyll were on a quest to find Karlack a “heartless creature” from Avernous that went rogue or something, truly Tav didn’t care all that much. However Wyll had agreed to join them on their quest to rid them of their shared parasite if they could find and kill Karlack. Her other companions were rather annoyed by the idea of pitstop and decided to remain in camp but Tav didn’t agree it was quite so useless. For one Wyll had an actual title, confirmed strength and the immediate respect of many members of the grove something that could be rather useful in future, and secondly their party was comprised almost entirely of mages.
Whilst Wyll was a Warlock the man could fight hand to hand, and fight well. Something Tav felt in dire need of since awaking to La’zel and a lovely sharp dagger pressed against her throat. The woman was their only front-liner in case of emergency, and Tav was rather sure if things kept up La’zel would end up being the emergency or betraying them if it benefitted her. In comparison Wyll was much more subdued and was actively against immoral action like betrayal or even murder outside the battlefield. Having Wyll around meant she could have better defence against her or better yet she could go on the offensive against La’zel and threatening her next time she attempted something like that. All for the cost of hunting down some creature Wyll was confident in being able to find and kill, now that was a good trade.
It was going rather well, Tav’a tracking skills and Wyll charaisma had quickly picked up Karlack’s trail until Wyll had suddenly insisted they take shelter in an old barn just because of a storm? It was rather odd, she knew it was raining of course but it wasn’t something she as a druid ever stopped for. Yet before Tav knew it her was basically pushing her into the barn, rusted doors flying open in ear pericing screeches with Wyll quickly securing them and mulling about the dusty place.
“it’s not much but this place looks rather abandoned, so at least you won’t have to deal with angry hosts” Wyll chuckled his voice a little strained.
Tav’s brows furrowed as she reached out for the dull cloth, rubbing the coarse cloth over her wet face and hair in contemplation. The action seemed rather… contrived as if the dark skinned man were merely preforming a function rather than actually showing care. He moved quickly not even checking the rag before handing it over to her to dry off. This whole stop felt rather contrived in fact, she had insisted twice that the storm wouldn’t bother her nor did it seem to have an effect on him. Yet now the man was idling around the room putting stones at the base of a makeshift fireplace as if Tav were huddled in the corner teeth chattering and chill etched into her very bones.
”You don’t have to light a fire.” She said breaking the silence her tone a little cold, perhaps the thought of him playing pretend annoyed her more than she realised. “I’m a druid and a drow, cold nor any element has much of an affect on me and you seem rather fine yourself.”
Wyll hummed dismissively. ”Everyone needs a nice fire to rest by, the druids at the grove certainly don’t seem to live in permanent chill.”
”I agree with the premiss but not the circumstance, those knolls are about. The fire will draw them near.” Tav insisted but Wyll didn’t even glance her way.
”I’d be more than happy to dispose of them for you if that becomes the case, I came here to slay a heartless monster. A knoll is a step down.” Wyll offered his tone soft like a sugar-coated honey. She bristled at it and shifted herself closer to the entrance as light sparks of clapping stone sounded behind her.
It’d been just before dawn when they left camp and that was just outside blighted village so they couldn’t have been travelling more than an hour or two. Yet another reason they didn’t have to stop the hunt rest Tav rolled her eyes bitterly knowing her back was to the oh so heroic “blade of frontiers”. But at least it meant they hadn’t wasted the day just yet though Karlack’s tracks would be a bit harder to find. She peered out into the rain but could only really make out slopes and blurred edges. Her underdark adjusted eyes not suited to the daylight even in rain.
”You don’t have to sulk over there you know.” Wyll suddenly said and she turned her head from where we leaned against the frame to find the man sitting cross legged by the fire expectantly looking at a spot ahead of him silently inviting her to sit.
Tav sighed withdrawing from her place and moving to the spot. “We also don’t have to stay.” She said despite already being seated.
”You seemed rather determined to move, something to go back too?” Wyll inquired and Tav stiffened in unease.
”More like something to get rid of, namely this tadpole.” Tav push back to their presently shared conflict sharply. Wyll’s lips pursed and in a slightly saddened expression, perhaps that was a little too rough. Tav pulled back playing with the edges of her sleeves. “I just don’t like nature being against me.” She admitted in a low tone. “The idea its attacking me after the years I spent seeking refuge in it, is rather uncomfortable.”
Wyll looked up studying her for a small moment before nodding. “I understand, the feeling is rather uneasy for me too. For more reasons than one I suppose.”
“Is that why…” Tav’s curiosity was still rather high and she’d tried to avoid calling it out, but Wyll’s admission felt like an implication of some kind. “You’re acting so nice to me?”
Wyll brows furrowed almost offended “I hardly know you, what cause would have to not treat you fairly?”
Tav held her ground “Yes treat me fairly, but no need to be so caring. I mean are you trying to feel closer to yourself, your true self?” Tav probed but Wyll still seemed rather confused. “The boy.” She said “You took the time to stop and train him after getting off the ship, you find out you have a tadpole in your head and instead of going to the healer in the same place or going after Karlack once more until we arrived it was rather unnecessary.”
Wyll’s widened in disbelief staring at the ground “The teethlings needed assistance it was the right thing to do.”
”I didn’t say it was wrong, I said it was unnecessary. Did you do it because you wanted to? Or because that’s what Wyll would do?” Tav’s tone was getting sharper, attempting to dig at the reality within. She felt it that difference since the tadpole came, the way she could use the lithid the way she became much more trsyting of strangers out of desperation. It was changing her, turning her into something post the infection. She needed to hear Wyll say it, that he was trying to replicate a person who wasn’t there. That he felt different too.
”I-…” Wyll started but trailed off. “Don’t know.” He shrugged his shoulders twitching hands coming to lie flat against his lap. “I think it was a bit of impulse and desire to help.”
”Oh…” Tav trailed off. Was that even an admission? Didn’t sound like the yes she wanted, she was rather shocked by the sincerity. Left her a little daze to confirm.
“Tav?”
”Yes?”
“Do you have a problem with that?” Wyll asked his tone growing surprisingly terse “Choosing to do the right thing despite your own desires, I mean?”
This time it was Tav’s turn to be confused, though she supposed she’d probed a bit. Wyll was in his rights to fire back. “Does my answer affect anything?” She leaned back putting her hands behind her to prop herself up to stare at the rustic ceiling, listening to the rain patter against the roof. Outside it was harsh frantic and charged against the roof alongside the wind with all its might but as it leaked indoors through mouldy wood it dropped to the floor with a peaceful tap that made Tav smile.
“No, my word holds I agreed to help you after Karlach is dead. We need each other afterall, and your group seems to be the best way forward.”
”Then no.” She answered simply. “I hold no issue with people who choose to act selflessly, I only envy to them it’s not a choice but an impulse.” Tav explained keeping her gaze upward trailing against hazel grain wood illuminated by flame.
Wyll let out a soft laugh. “It might help if you started accepting selfless actions” he seemed to jab.
Tav stared at upwards for a few moments more.
“Thanks for the rag Wyll.”